How to travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne

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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Düsseldorf to Cologne

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Düsseldorf to Cologne among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €5 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 55m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.0kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €5, while a train costs an average of €16.

Distance: 21 miles (34 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

€16

Average price

€5

Average price

Cheapest

€7

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

55m

Average total duration

Fastest

25m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 36m

Average total duration

1h 6m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

40m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.0kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Deutsche Bahn

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne is a bus with an average price of €5.

This is compared to other travel options from Düsseldorf to Cologne:

A bus is €12 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Düsseldorf to Cologne costing on average €16.

The fastest way to travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne is by train with an average journey time of 55m.

Other travel options to Cologne take longer:

Bus takes on average 1h 36m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Düsseldorf and Cologne including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Düsseldorf to Cologne among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 15m sooner (25m by train vs 40m by car). Tickets start at around €16 compared to roughly €7 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Travel options
from Düsseldorf to Cologne

How to get from Düsseldorf to Cologne by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixTrainFlixTrain
    9:26 PM0h31
    Düsseldorf Hbf
    9:57 PMCologne Hbf
    €31One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • FlixTrainFlixTrain
    9:26 PM0h31
    Düsseldorf Hbf
    9:57 PMCologne Hbf
    €31One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Deutsche BahnICE 125
    2:54 PM0h26
    Düsseldorf Hbf
    3:20 PMCologne Hbf
    €191One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • FlixTrainFlixTrain
    1:25 PM0h30
    Düsseldorf Hbf
    1:55 PMCologne Hbf
    €41One-way
    0 transfers
  • Deutsche BahnICE 29
    11:22 AM0h27
    Düsseldorf Hbf
    11:49 AMCologne Hbf
    €181One-way
    0 transfers
  • Deutsche BahnICE 1123
    3:25 PM0h30
    Düsseldorf Hbf
    3:55 PMCologne Hbf
    €181One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    1:15 PM1h30
    Düsseldorf, Terminal Ring (Flughafen)
    2:45 PMKöln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    €81One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

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How to get from Düsseldorf to Cologne

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne, 90,58% of our customers choose the train as their preferred mode of transportation. By traveling by train on this route, you can enjoy the comfort of spacious seats, spectacular views—and in some cases free Wi-Fi—in both second and first class. Our customers have decided that the train is the best way to get from Düsseldorf to Cologne and have chosen to enjoy this fast, safe and efficient way to arrive at their destination. Taking the train also avoids long lines or potential expenses for transfers to/from the station—especially since most main railway stations are located in the city center. Train companies in Europe vary from country to country, but most of them offer high-speed train routes, therefore when you add up at the end-to-end journey time, the train is often also the fastest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from Düsseldorf to Cologne. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne

Travel to Cologne easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Düsseldorf to Cologne.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Düsseldorf and Cologne including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne is a bus with an average price of €5.

This is compared to other travel options from Düsseldorf to Cologne:

A bus is €12 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Düsseldorf to Cologne costing on average €16.

The fastest way to travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne is by train with an average journey time of 55m.

Other travel options to Cologne take longer:

Bus takes on average 1h 36m.

The distance from Düsseldorf to Cologne is approximately 21 miles (34 km).
The average frequency per day from Düsseldorf to Cologne is:
  • Around 18 trains per day.
  • Around 1 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Düsseldorf and Cologne as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Düsseldorf to Cologne:
  • Trains mostly depart from Düsseldorf Hbf and arrive in Cologne Hbf.
  • Buses mostly depart from Düsseldorf, Terminal Ring (Flughafen) and arrive in Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Düsseldorf to Cologne, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with FlixBus to go to Cologne by bus.
  • Travel with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain to go to Cologne by train.
Yes, there are direct services available from Düsseldorf to Cologne with the following travel companies:
  • 1 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
  • 15 direct trains per day with Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain.
Omio customers who travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne often also extend their vacation to go to Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Brussels. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Cologne and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Cologne to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Cologne, you can explore the Cologne Chocolate Museum to learn about chocolate history and production, enjoy a scenic Rhine River Cruise, and visit the Botanical Gardens Flora for stunning floral displays. Discover trendy boutiques and vibrant street art in the Belgian Quarter, or attend a concert at the renowned Cologne Philharmonic Hall. Don't miss the iconic Cologne Cathedral, the modern art collection at Museum Ludwig, and the love lock-adorned Hohenzollern Bridge. Wander through the charming Old Town (Altstadt) and visit the diverse Cologne Zoo.
Three days are generally recommended to explore Cologne's main attractions, including the Cologne Cathedral, Old Town, and museums.
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